It’s no exaggeration to say that October in Himeji is all about autumn festivals!
Himeji is a city of festivals, and we have festivals somewhere every week.
Why not visit Himeji?
October in the Himeji and Harima areas is full of autumn festivals.
As festivals are inherently something that has been carefully protected and passed down by the local people, strangers are usually not welcomed at local festivals.
However, recently, due to the aging of the population and the declining birth rate, more and more places are welcoming strangers with open minds. Today, I’d like to introduce you some autumn festivals that are relatively comfortable to visit, even for tourists.
In the Shikama area, about 4 km south of Himeji Station, two shrines, Ebisunomiya Tenman Shrine and Hamanomiya Tenmangu Shrine, holds autumn festivals.
The best time to visit is around 9:30 on the 9th OCT (every year, festival will be held in this area on 08, 09OCT)
Eight festival cars will gather at Shikama Station on the Sanyo Electric Railway to perform a rehearsal parade, then heading to Ebisunomiya Tenman Shrine. Try to follow these festival cars so that you can reach the shrine without getting lost.
The highlight of the festival is the “Daiba-neri”, where only selected people carry the festival cars weighing over one ton.
The expression of the men desperately supporting the heavy cars is a must-see.
However, you should never approach festival cars or interfere with the progress of them.
Please be fully aware that festival cars are sacred.
At this moment (11SEP2023) , official announcement for the festival is not announced yet,
but for your information to scheduling the matsuri(festival) , here is the detail information about festival.
(every year, the date is fixed)
Festival around Himeji in October
https://himejifestival.wixsite.com/japan
Festival of Shikama area on 08, 09OCT
https://himejifestival.wixsite.com/english/ebisunomiya-autumn-festival